I think a number of people are missing the point. When people have travelled in a 380 in what ever class there appears to be a palpable positive comment from them which you do not get from other A/C currently. The A/C wins with the customer, but may not win with the bean counters, as it as has been said. It is only useful on some high volume routes and this is where it will make its name and money. It will never be like the early 747 which were bought by every little country world wide with aspirations in a "mines bigger than yours" so to speak kind of way regardless of the economics - sub Saharan Africa to think of one area. It is not the game changer that the Jumbo was but it has a place on high volume long haul although its cargo capacity is limited in comparison with 747 I would agree. At the end of the day its is down to the accountants who will decide ultimately its success or otherwise, not the public / pilots / spotters / interested observers.
My two pennies worth.
Regards
Mr Mac ( an unfortunatly far too frequent 380 flyer)